A PCR assay for the detection of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in water |
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Authors: | R Kirk MT Rowe |
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Institution: | Food Microbiology, Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland;The Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast, UK |
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Abstract: | A PCR assay has been developed for the detection of Campylobacter jejuni and Camp. coli in water samples. The sample is filtered through a membrane which is subjected to sonication to release the impacted cells. After removal of the filter from the cell suspension and a freeze/thaw cell lysis step, a semi-nested PCR is carried out on the filtrate using the primers CF02, CF03 and CF04 ( Camp. jejuni fla and flaB gene sequences). Incorporation of a sonication stage allows removal of the filter membrane since they have been shown to inhibit the PCR. In experiments with spiked water samples (20 ml) a theoretical sensitivity of 10–20 Campylobacter cells ml-1 was achieved. Using a sample volume of 100 ml this sensitivity can be increased to approximately 2 Campylobacter cells ml-1. |
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